MGCCC football off to 3-0 start

Calling the 2012 Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College football team "speedy" is a bit of an understatement. The Bulldogs, made up of mostly freshmen along with 16 sophomores, have used an abundance of team speed to race out to a 3-0 record early in the season and a No. 4 ranking in the NJCAA.

   Gulf Coast was supposed to open the season Aug. 30 but torrential rains from Hurricane Isaac pushed the contest at Coahoma back to Sept. 1. The Bulldogs used their own offensive deluge to open a 50-7 lead on the Tigers and eventually win 64-14. Five days later Gulf Coast traveled to Goodman and took down Holmes 42-16. The team's MACJC South Division and home opener against Hinds featured the Bulldogs winning 34-0 at halftime then holding on to a 41-28 win over the No. 6 ranked Eagles.

   Three games into the season sophomore quarterback Clint Hatten was brutally efficient, going 33/49 for 684 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 1 interception. His favorite receivers include freshman Dhaquille Williams (9 catches, 498 yards, 4 touchdowns) and freshman Tyrone Williams (9 catches, 168 yards, 2 touchdowns).

  As always the Gulf Coast running game is among the NJCAA'S best, with sophomores Byron Nettles (267 yards, 5 touchdowns), Anton Thornton (244 yards, 4 touchdowns, and JoJo Snell (167 yards, 3 touchdowns).

  The Bulldog defense has forced 11 turnovers including a 40-yard touchdown by freshman Cavellis Luckett against Coahoma and game-clinching interception by freshman Josh Keys against Hinds Sept. 13.

   The Bulldogs head back on the road to take on Jones Sept. 22 followed a home date with Northeast Sept. 27, a battle with archrival Pearl River at home Oct. 3, road trips to Southwest (Oct. 13) and Co-Lin (Oct. 20), and Homecoming against East Central Oct. 27.